The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has today unveiled five new murals created by the Quirindi community on the new new Jacob and Joseph Creek Bridge.
At an event celebrating the new community artwork, ARTC Hunter Valley Group Executive Wayne Johnson said the development of the murals was a great way to work with the community and gave a new identity to the bridge which was recently replaced by ARTC.
“We replaced two steel bridges in Quirindi, both more than 90 years old, and we employed more than 100 people over the 12 months to complete the works,” Mr Johnson said.
“When ARTC work in any district, we try to identify the best ways to engage with residents and how best to support local organisations and initiatives that help create a strong and vibrant community.
“We realised at the start of this project that the new Jacob and Joseph Bridge offered the perfect canvas for public art as Colleen Green Park is so popular with locals.”
“Work on the murals project involved 120 people, and as the artists were painting the bridge certainly generated interest for people around town.”
“ARTC also greatly values our relationship with Indigenous communities and recognise their inherent connection to their traditional lands and their continuing responsibility of stewardship and caring for country and culture,” he said.
The overall theme of the murals is connection lines, which represent many things, including the rail line and local story lines and how they both connect many communities.
Faith Curtis, co-creator of Art group UP&UP, said they were very pleased to be selected by ARTC to undertake both local community engagement and complete the design for the mural series in collaboration with a local Indigenous artist.
“We were very happy to work closely with the Kamilaroi people of Liverpool Plains to deliver this great art project, which has set the bar high for us and provided so much enjoyment to the locals,” Ms Curtis said.
The Quirindi murals project was funded by ARTC, while art group UP&UP was engaged to work with the local Kamilaroi artists. A short film about the art project will be available in 2021.
ENDS
Media contact: ARTC media team 1300 196 401
Link to images of Quirindi murals project on the Hunter Valley network here
Link to sneak peak of short film on mural project here
Background UP&UP work alongside individuals, organisations and communities to create public art that promote a sense of belonging, pride and teamwork. They believe in the power of collaborative placemaking to help people feel connected and valued, and to celebrate spaces that are cherished by local groups and communities. Placemaking is a way for communities to revitalise and celebrate places they love, and murals are a fantastic way to make place! Murals bring life, meaning and character to public and shared spaces. They hope to bring people together to revitalise their local place and help support stronger social ties and a sense of pride and belonging. https://upnup.com.au/